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Animal-Related Incidents
Am I entitled to compensation for damages caused by domestic or wild animals?
Accidents caused by animals happen frequently, but victims rarely know their rights. Usually, victims seek their rights only in extremely serious cases involving serious bodily injury or death.
According to Bulgarian law, animals are equated to property. In view of this, their owners are responsible for the damages caused by them. They are also responsible in the event that the animal escaped or got lost and then caused the damage.
In view of this, the victims can seek compensation from the owners of the animals in the amount of all material and non-material damages suffered.
District Court – Ruse
Cases for bodily injuries
36 CASES
Filed during the period 2014 - 2018
BGN 2,000
Average compensation awarded in 2018
≈ 10 months
Average duration during the period 2016 – 2018
District Court – Varna
In case of an animal bite
23 CASES
Filed during the period 2014 - 2018
BGN 4,000
Average compensation awarded in 2018
≈ 8 months
Average duration during the period 2016 – 2018
How do we establish ownership of the animal?
The most difficult fact to prove is the ownership of the animal. In the course of the court proceedings, witness statements are most often used to establish ownership, as well as court veterinary expert examinations, which establish whether the defendant in the case is, in fact, the owner of that animal.
Who is liable for damages caused by wild animals?
A far more interesting question is who bears liability for damages caused by wild live animals. The damages may consist both of injuries to particular persons and of damage to property or agricultural crops.
The legal rule states that liability for damages caused by wild animals is owed by the persons who have the responsibility to manage the game. These are the respective hunting farms or the natural or legal persons who manage the private hunting farms.
For damages caused by the brown bear and the cormorant, liability is borne by the Ministry of Environment and Water. Indicative of the lack of knowledge among citizens of their rights in such a situation is the number of filed cases – 3 cases for the last 10 years.
The statistics are extracted from extensive research of court practice carried out by the team of Georgiev and Petrov Law Firm
What must we prove in case of damages caused by animals?
The following facts and circumstances are subject to proof:
- Which is the animal that caused the damages;
- Who is its owner;
- The causal relationship between the animal and the occurrence of the damages (that the animal caused them);
- The amount of the damages.
Am I entitled to compensation in case of injury to a pet?
The bond between people and their pets is often very strong, and the loss of a pet may lead to significant emotional pain and suffering. In the event of bodily injury or death caused to a pet, you have the right to claim compensation from the perpetrator of the act. Although the pain is great, monetary compensation is the only way it can be compensated.
How does our team work?
You contact us
We review your case
Consultation
We file a court case
You receive compensation
